Hello everyone, for this trip, I have chosen to visit Suan Phueng, Ratchaburi.
Feeling bored and wanting a change of scenery, I decided to look for accommodation near Bangkok. After browsing through various options, I settled on Villa Moreeda in Suan Phung, owned by the famous TV host, Sena Ling. Impressed by the photos, I booked my stay through Agoda for April 2nd-3rd, 2017. Since I prefer to avoid crowds, I opted for a Sunday stay. (During my conversation with the resort to confirm my reservation, they informed me that a film crew would be using the location for shooting on the day of my arrival, which might cause some inconvenience. I assured them that it wouldn't be a problem, as I was unwilling to change my travel dates or take additional leave from work.)
It's time to hit the road! For breakfast and lunch, Mang Noi chose a restaurant that we always stop at when passing through Samut Songkhram province: "Ruen Rim Kuen". We've been eating here since it was a small shop next to the bridge. Now, it has expanded into a large establishment with ample parking. Everything has a new look, but the delicious taste of the food remains the same.
Must-order dishes that you must try every time you visit.
- Steamed mackerel with lime, a tangy and spicy soup, large, tender mackerel that melts in your mouth, no fishy smell, and no disappointment.
- Spicy Tom Yum Goong with a rich curry paste flavor, large prawns, full-bodied and delicious.
- Spicy stir-fried clams. The clams are cooked whole and tossed in a flavorful sauce with a blend of spices, including black pepper.
On the way back, you can stop by to see souvenirs, there are many. When I arrived at Suan Phueng district, there were very few cars and not many people. I was surprised. Where did everyone go? Mang Noi came here 7 years ago and there were a lot of tourists. It was very booming. Or maybe because today is Sunday, but there should be some people returning on Saturday. Oh! Why am I wondering? It's because I answered your question, right? No, I'm just confused. I'm afraid that Suan Phueng won't have many tourists and that businesses will close down, leaving no one else to visit. I hope that won't happen. (What kind of person thinks like this!!! 555)
...In fact, there are quite a few reviews of tourist attractions in Suan Phueng. Therefore, I will briefly review them for you to avoid redundancy and boredom.
Upon entering the city center of Suan Phueng, the first popular tourist attraction you will encounter is "Coro Field."
Situated prominently on the left side of the main road, the farm's sign is difficult to miss, ensuring that it catches the eye of every passerby.
The mascot here is called "Kororokun", a cute, chubby, white melon-like character with various poses for photo opportunities.
Besides vegetable and fruit farms, there are also -->
Coro Cafe Zone: This zone offers food, desserts, and beverages. Most of the desserts use melon as the main ingredient. The prices are slightly high, but the overall taste is delicious and very good.
Coro Market Zone: Sells organic products and produce from farms
Coro Me Zone: An interactive zone where visitors can engage with the farm and purchase souvenirs.
Many areas were not visited by the locusts, likely because the harvest had already been completed, leaving few vegetable plots remaining.
After taking a quick look around, we stopped for some sweet treats in the cool air of the Coro Cafe zone.
**Melon Cream Cheese Smoothie:** The first taste was amazing, smooth, sweet, and fragrant with a strong melon flavor. The cheese flavor was also present, making it a truly delicious and refreshing drink.
Melon Yogurt Soft Serve Ice Cream:
This soft serve boasts a premium price tag, but the melon flavor is truly exceptional. The ice cream itself is smooth and creamy, and it comes with chunks of fresh melon that are both crunchy and sweet. (Unfortunately, the ice cream had melted slightly as I was taking photos outside, so I wasn't able to capture it in its prime.)
Iced Cappuccino: The taste is well-balanced and enjoyable.
The next stop is "Moai Coffee," located on the right side of the road, not far from Corofield. Its distinctive feature is the carved stone statues of human faces, originally from Chile. It's a cool spot to stop and take photos. This cafe focuses primarily on beverages, with a limited selection of desserts, including cakes and macarons. It seems that the main focus here is on fusion cuisine. The building is divided into separate sections for dining and ordering drinks.
Black coffee iced from Mang Noi is worth a try. The taste is decent.
The next stop is "Baan Hom Tian", a long-standing establishment in Suan Phueng. The entrance fee is 60 baht. The orange ticket can be exchanged for souvenirs, while the other ticket can be used as a discount for purchases or dining.
After a hot and humid day, with the sky intermittently darkening as if it were about to rain, and with light rain falling several times, I decided to head back to my accommodation.
"Villa Moreeda" is located just behind the scenery farm. There is actually a back door connecting the entrance to the resort, but it is not open to the public, so we had to go around to the front entrance instead. When we arrived, we saw the cars of the Channel 3 Broadcasting Class Thai Television crew. We were a little excited because the set was huge, with lots of equipment trucks parked both in front of the entrance and in the parking lot. It looked very lively. Let's see which celebrity it will be.
Upon check-in, we were offered welcome drinks. However, the lobby was bustling with activity, with film crew members and cables strewn about. We couldn't help but wonder if we had chosen the right day to visit. Upon inquiring, we learned that the filming was for the drama series "Hidden Love Cupid," part of The Cupid Project - Love Galore, starring Cheer Thikamporn and Tay Pongrakan.
Image source: www.broadcastthai.com
The staff informed us that the filming would be completed late tonight. Mang Noi did not mind, as it was a good opportunity to witness such an event. While she was initially interested in observing the filming process up close, she decided against it upon noticing the seriousness of the crew's work. Instead, she opted to watch from her room, which she had chosen specifically for its clear glass windows offering a view of the Pachi River, where the filming was taking place. This allowed her to comfortably observe the filming process. However, she secretly hoped to encounter the resort's monkey owner.
Note: Guests staying at Villa Morida will receive a wristband that grants them free access to the Scenery Farm. The wristband can be used to activate the entrance gate. Guests can request a golf cart from the resort to transport them to the farm. The wristband is a souvenir and does not need to be returned.
The "Love Bird" room is a popular choice for its stunning views of the Pachi River. Located on the second floor, it offers privacy and ample space, though the steep stairs may not be suitable for elderly guests. The room features a well-stocked minibar with complimentary snacks and drinks, including Pocky, cookies, instant noodles, instant porridge, Coke, jelly, milk, Mentos, bottled water, coffee, and tea. The resort's signature coffee blend and bath amenities are also available for purchase. The plush bed ensures a comfortable night's sleep.
As the filming commenced, we were hesitant to disturb the crew due to the open-air setting of the "little spider" room on the second floor, directly facing the team. We decided to draw the curtains for privacy, but managed to capture some photos during their rehearsals. It became evident that the set design team must have exerted tremendous effort to create this scene. Despite filming on land, the crew ventured into the water to find the best camera angles and capture the scenic views. Additionally, they had to climb to set up the backdrop and lighting. Remarkably, even though filming concluded around 10:30 pm, the crew swiftly packed up, especially the numerous poles and scaffolding, clearing everything within a short time. We were truly impressed by their efficiency.
The evening filming schedule prevented us from capturing the surrounding area of the accommodation building. The crew was continuously capturing high and wide-angle shots, requiring them to periodically shout for everyone to remain still. Additionally, the area was cluttered with electrical wires, making it difficult to navigate. Therefore, we decided to visit the scenery first and will share captured images tomorrow.
A scoop of sheep's milk ice cream costs 35 baht.
For dinner, Mang Noi chose to return to "Krua Mon Khai", a renowned restaurant in Suan Phueng. Let's see if it's still in the same location and as delicious as it was seven years ago when it was a small shop.
An old photo from 7 years ago.
The establishment has undergone significant expansion, transforming into a spacious venue capable of accommodating hundreds of patrons. Previously, it consisted of a modest arrangement of two to three interconnected rooms.
**Every dish is as delicious as ever. It's a pity I missed the stir-fried wild mushrooms with holy basil, but the fiddlehead fern salad is absolutely exquisite. You must try it!**
This morning, I woke up to the sound of birds chirping. The atmosphere was peaceful, and the sound of the waterfall trickling was very pleasant. The view from my room was beautiful, and I loved it.
Breakfast is served from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The resort will ask you what you would like to eat during check-in. There are three sets to choose from: rice porridge set, fried egg set, and noodle set. I chose the fried egg set and wonton noodles. It was served with dim sum and fruit. The set was very cute.
The communal area also offers additional food options, which can be replenished as desired.
After a satisfying meal, we explored the common area. This area serves as a living room on the lower floor, which transforms into a dining space in the mornings.
The second floor is a book zone with both books for reading and books for sale. The DVD zone allows you to choose and watch in the room.
The spacious lawn features numerous large swings for relaxation.
The information booth offered a variety of souvenirs, primarily featuring peacocks. The designs were charming, and Mang Noi even picked up a postcard for a friend, boasting an adorable illustration.
Other rooms
Arriving at the central area, a highlight and a favorite among many for its natural beauty, the resort runs parallel to the Pachi River.
The little spider is wearing a GoPro camera. Let's take a look at the images from the GoPro perspective.
The trip ended on a memorable note. The staff were all smiles and provided excellent service. If given the chance, I would definitely return. Farewell with a picture of the flock of sheep and horses grazing at Swiss Valley. They were a sight to behold! Until next time, take care.
Malang Lunla
Friday, October 4, 2024 3:23 PM